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Patented Oct. 19,1880.

E. A. 8v W. S. HILL. Metallic Hair Bush.

N. PETERS. FHOTO-UTHDGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D l:4

' UNITED STATES PATENT raten.

EDWIN A. HILL, OF READING, AND WARREN S. HILL, OF HYDE PARK, MASS.; SAIDWARREN S. HILL' ASSIGNOR TO SAID EDWIN A. HILL.

METALLIC HAIR-BRUSH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,508, dated October19, 1880.

Application filed February 16, 1880.

To all 'whom it 'may concern Be it known that we, EDWIN A. HILL, ofReading, in the county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, and WARRENS. HILL, of Hyde Park, county of Norfolk, and State aforesaid, haveinvented a new and Improved Metallic Hair-Brush, of which the followingis a speci iication.

This invention relates more especially to 1o that class of hair-brushesin which the brush material is composed of wire pins set in a brushfaceof vulcanized elastic rubber which is se cured to a suitable back.

The invention also relates to backs and handles of hair-brushes or otherlike articles when made of a substance or compound which,

is capable of being formed in molds or dies while in a plastic state.

The first object of this invention is to prozo vide a better or animproved method for securing together the parts of the brush of theclass named, so'that a strong, beautiful, and durable brush can bemanufactured rapidly and cheaply.

The second object of this invention is to provide improved means forstrengthening molded hair -brush backs, which, from the nature of theircompound, are more or less brittle.

To this end this invention consists, rst, in a 3?@ back formed in twoparts, one of which supports the back of the rubber brush-face, whilethe other clamps the margin of the brush-face against the irst, theconstruction of the parts being such that the simple operation of plac-3 5 ing them together rmly secures the margin of the brush-face, so thatit cannot be easily displaced or drawn out from between the parts.

This invention consists, also, in providing a molded back and handlewith a marginal sheet- 4o metal strenthening-frame, composed of one ormore pieces or strips of sheet metal angular or equivalently shaped incross-section, which are to be embedded into the material or compoundduring the process of molding, and extending continuously from end toend of the back and handle, for the purpose of effectually strengtheningthe same.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure1 represents a 5o longitudinal central section of the brush embodyingour invention. Fig. 2 represents a transverse section of the same. Fig.3 represents a transverse section of a modification.

The same letters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In carrying out this invention we provide a rubber brush face, C,studded with metallic pins a a, which constitutes the brush material.

In the present instance the brush-face is molded and vulcanized, withperforations to re- 6o ceive the pins, and with teats or projections ofrubber surrounding the pins, as shown in patent issued to E. A. Hill,June 10, 1879. rlhe brush-face may be molded and shaped to any patternpreferred.

The rigid back, which holds the rubber face in the present instance, ismade in two parts,

A and B. The part A, which in this description we will call the bak,7 isformed to support and cover the entire surface ofthe back of 7o thebrush-face C, and gives to the same a convex outer surface, as shown.The part B, which we will call the rim-piece, is in the form of a frameadapted to over the margin of the rubber face C and clamp said marginagainst the back Awhen said parts are secured together.

The rim -picce B is preferably recessed at g', as shown in Figs. l and2, to receive the back A, the latter constituting a panel; but, ifdesired, the parts A and B may be formed 8o so as to be placed togetherwith their outer edges flush, as shown in Fig. 3, the object of thispart of our invention being to firmly secure the margin of the rubberbrush-face in its position by the simple operation of put- 8 5 ting theparts A and B together and avoiding the expense of metallic bands andother costly appliances, and improving the construction and appearanceof the brush as a whole. The surfaces between which the margin of 9o thebrush-face is clamped are designed and formed to prevent the clampedportion of the rubber from slipping or moving laterally between thesurfaces so clamped. To this end we form a groove, g, in the back A,said groove presenting a shoulder which acts as a stop to the lateral oredgewise movement of the clamped portion of the brush-face, the latterbeing provided with a bead, c, formed or molded to register with thegroove. roo

From the foregoing it will be readily seen that the operation of puttingtogether the parts of this improved brush consists simply in plac ingtbe brush-face C in position on the flange upon the rim-piece B,applying the glue or cement upon the edges to be joined, and then thepart A or panel is laid in place, when all are put under pressure in ahand-screw until the glue becomes hardened; then the screw is removedand the brush is complete.

When the back A and the rim-piece l5 are in the form shown in Fig. 3they may be made of wood, in whole or in part, if desired; but the formsshown in Figs. 1 and 2 are preferably composed of a compound which canbe made plastic and is capable of being formed in molds while in aplastic state, and subsequently solidilies and becomes rigid. When theparts are so molded the rim-piece B is extended t0 form a handle, H,both being formed in one piece.

The best compositions now used for brush and mirror handles, jewelry,and other like articles are brittle and liable to break in ordinary use.To remedy this liability to break we insert or embed one or morestrengthening strips of sheet metal L-shaped or equivalently formed incross-section, as shown at T in Figs. 1 and 2, and forming,r a marginalstrengthening-frame extending continuously from end to end of the backand handle close to the margin thereof. This angle or L-shaped iron isembedded into the composition while it is in a plastic state during theprocess of molding. This stilening-iron may be cut from any suitablesheet metal and struck up in one or more parts, and formed to tit thepattern of handle and back of any brush, lnirror, or other article wheresuch strengthening may be useful.

If preferred, the strengthening-strip may be made semicircular incross-section, this form being considered equivalent to the L shape orangular shape in regard to strength.

We are aware that brush and mirror handles have been made with flat andround wire and common nails embedded therein for stii'ening purposes,and that patents have been issued therefor; but the flat and round wireseasily bend and spring and allowr the composition to crack and breakoff, while nails and large wire are objectionable on account of theweight. We do not, therefore, claim the use of the round or flat wire ornails or like articles; but oui-invention is confined tothe struck-upangular or equivalently shaped rigid metal, as shown at T, securelyembedded into the handles and backs, as set forth. The form of thisstii'ening-strip, as shown, is light and unobjectionable in weight, andwhen properly embedded is very stii and strong and valuable for thepurpose. Besides, it gives strength and stit'ness to the margin, whereit is most needed.

No ordinary use can spring or break the composition.

What we claim as our invention, and wish to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In a brush, the combination of a rim rabbeted around its inner edgeand a brush-face beaded, as described, placed on said rabbet, with aback having a groove fitted upon and over the brush-face and rim,whereby the parts are secured together, substantially in the mannerdescribed.

2. A molded back or handle provided with a marginal sheet-metalstrengthening-frame composed of one or more pieces or strips angular orequivalently shaped in cross-section, as specified, embedded in thematerial and extending continuously from end to end of the back andhandle, close to the margin thereof,

as set forth.

EDWIN A. HILL. WARREN S. HILL. Witnesses:

SARAH L. HILL, LoUIs E. HILL.

